Jun2005


MEETING June meeting of the Coastal Plains Amateur Radio Club was held on Saturday the 11th at AMY's RV Park club house in Tifton. There were 8 club members in attendance and 4 guests. The vistors were Thomas Sealy - KE4OKH, Derek - KE4RJJ, John - KI4JQR, and Mat - KI4JQS. John and Matt have recently received their license. We look forward to having them in the club. They are working on their station to be on more. Thomas and Derek have been in the past and were members. We look forward to hearing them back on the air. Field day plans will be finalized on the net the Tuesday before field day. Every member should be on the net. The noise problem was discussed, and once he has a key for the repeater, Greg the Trustee has asked Bobby to do a check of the site to help determine where the problem is coming from so it can be corrected. N4RNX was presented with a plaque for his tireless efforts to call the club net each week since 1987. NET NEWS As work is being done to track down the noise source on the repeater, and we get Doc's radio equipped with a tone board, the net will be called on 146.520. Doc's station was great on last weeks net and he copied all stations calling in the net.	PRESIDENTS CORNER Steve - KI4BSB I was very pleased in the turn out for our June meeting of the Coastal Plains Amateur Radio Club. I was exceptionally pleased that Wayne, WD4LYV could make the meeting. I thank Bobby, W4KN for making sure he was there by picking him up. I was glad we finally caught up with Doc , N4RNX so we could thank him for his years of dedication calling our Tuesday night net. We all appreciate his hard work. I received notice that the Special Olympics will be held in Albany this fall, and they have requested that amateur radio handle the communications traffic for that event. This will be a great opportunity to shine in the public eye and get exposure for our club as well as Albany and Americus. Details will be forth coming, and I will provide the members details soon after I receive them. Don't forget field day coming up. Make plans to come out and participate in the food, fun, and fellowship. If you know of anyone interested in ham radio, bring them along. I am proud of the way the web page is developing and I thank Wayne and Bobby for their hard work in making it happen. A lot of hours go into this site and I encourage all club members to go to the site often and give them any input that you may have for it. Till next month.... 73, Steve
EDITORS SHACK Wayne - WD4LYV As I continue to get involved with our hobby, I am slowly getting the station back in order. I have been blessed to acquire an internal auto tuner for my TS-440 which will allow me to control that rig from the computer as well. The parts for our antenna farm are slowly coming together. I am having fun talking with state side stations, and some evenings just listening to discussions of antenna systems built. A lot can be learn when you run across amateurs who are building and testing antenna. For those with internet access, looking up a call on QRZ will tell you the equipment that station is running on most stations. 6 METERS There has been some 6 meter activity, especially for those with beam antenna's. Some good contacts and new states have been worked by many of our area 6 meter operators. We are hoping conditions will improve and there will be lots more activity on 6 meters. In coming newsletters I hope to have W4KN do the 6 meter column to keep us updated on activity on 6 meters.	ON THE AIR Wayne - WD4LYV Propagation has not been the best over this month. There have been some Geomagnetic and Solar storm activity which has affected communications on the HF bands The next few weeks will give those with HF privileges the opportunity to work VY9SS on St. Paul Island on the east coast of Canada. You can call W4KN or WD4LYV for help in learning if the station is active when you are in the shack. The VY9SS team lost a tower and generator getting on the island. Two members have been air lifted off the island already. You can see it at www.cy9ss.com . Recent weeks have been fun with club members getting on 146.520 while working DX stations and telling other members about the strong stations they hear. It brings back great memories of our early years in the hobby. The software and technology of today give the amateur and edge on finding those rare dx contacts. With the technology you can learn of a dx station within minutes of their coming on the air. The log software plays a huge role in making your contacts fun and keeping you informed of the countries you haven't worked and on what bands you need them.